Pumped refrigerant cooling system with 1+1 to N+1 and built-in redundancy

ABSTRACT

A pumped refrigerant cooling system having cooling units with associated pumping units for providing working fluid to the cooling unit to enable cooling of a space. The pumped refrigerant cooling system also includes a redundant pumping unit which is activated when a primary pumping unit associated with a cooling unit becomes inactive. The primary pumping unit is deactivated in favor of the redundant pumping unit. Once the primary pumping unit is placed in a condition suitable for reactivation, the redundant pumping unit is deactivated, and the primary pumping unit is reactivated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/723,986 filed on Dec. 21, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/580,695, filed on Dec. 28, 2011.The entire disclosures of the above applications are incorporated hereinby reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to pumped refrigerant cooling systems forprecision cooling applications having primary cooling circuitredundancy.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

A data center is a room containing a collection of electronic equipment,such as computer servers. Data centers and the equipment containedtherein typically have optimal environmental operating conditions,temperature and humidity in particular. A climate control systemmaintains the proper temperature and humidity in the data center.

The climate control system includes a cooling system that cools air andprovides the cooled air to the data center. The cooling system mayinclude air conditioning units, such as computer room air handling(CRAH) or computer room air conditioning (CRAC) units that cool the airthat is provided to the data center. The data center may have a raisedfloor and the cooled air introduced into the data center through ventsin the raised floor. The raised floor may be constructed to provide aplenum between the cold air outlet of the CRAH (or CRAHs) or CRAC (orCRACs) and the vents in the raised floor, or a separate plenum such as aduct may be used.

The data center could also have a hard floor. The CRACS may, forexample, be arranged in the rows of the electronic equipment, may bedisposed with their cool air supply facing respective cold aisles, or bedisposed along walls of the data center. The equipment racks in the datacenter may be arranged in a hot aisle/cold aisle configuration with theequipment racks arranged in rows. The cold air inlets of the racks,typically at the front of the racks, in one row face the cold air inletsof the racks in a row across a cold aisle, and the hot air outlets ofthe racks in one row face the hot air outlets of the racks in a rowacross a hot aisle.

One type of cooling system uses a pumped refrigerant cooling unit, suchas the cooling units used in the XD System available from LiebertCorporation of Columbus, Ohio. The Liebert XD System has two coolingloops, that may also be referred to as cooling circuits or cycles. Aprimary loop uses chilled water or a refrigerant, such as R407C and asecondary loop uses a pumped refrigerant, such as R134a. The primaryloop includes a fluid to fluid heat exchanger to cool the pumpedrefrigerant circulating in the secondary loop. The secondary loopincludes one or more phase change cooling modules having a fluid to airheat exchanger through which the pumped refrigerant is circulated tocool air flowing across the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger maytypically include an evaporator coil and a flow regulator or anexpansion valve, in accordance with the particular design.

Basic schematics for the two cooling loops (or cycles) of the Liebert XDSystem are shown and described in U.S. Ser. No. 10/904,889 for “CoolingSystem for High Density Heat Load,” the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference. FIGS. 1 and 2 of this application areincluded herein as FIGS. 1 and 2 along with the accompanying descriptionfrom this application.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the disclosed cooling system 10 includes afirst cooling cycle 12 (the primary cooling loop) in thermalcommunication with a second cycle 14 (the secondary cooling loop). Thedisclosed cooling system 10 also includes a control system 90. Both thefirst and second cycles 12 and 14 include independent working fluids.The working fluid in the second cycle is any volatile fluid suitable foruse as a conventional refrigerant, including but not limited tochlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs), orhydrochloro-fluorocarbons (HCFCs). Use of a volatile working fluideliminates using water located above sensitive equipment, as issometimes done in conventional systems for cooling computer room. Thesecond cycle 14 includes a pump 20, one or more first heat exchangers(evaporators) 30, a second heat exchanger 40, and piping to interconnectthe various components of the second cycle 14. The second cycle 14 isnot a vapor compression refrigeration system. Instead, the second cycle14 uses the pump 20 instead of a compressor to circulate a volatileworking fluid for removing heat from a heat load. The pump 20 ispreferably capable of pumping the volatile working fluid throughout thesecond cooling cycle 14 and is preferably controlled by the controlsystem implemented by controller 90.

The first heat exchanger 30 is an air-to-fluid heat exchanger thatremoves heat from the heat load (not shown) to the second working fluidas the second working fluid passes through the second fluid path infirst heat exchanger 30. For example, the air-to-fluid heat exchanger 30can include a plurality of tubes for the working fluid arranged to allowwarm air to pass therebetween. It will be appreciated that a number ofair-to-fluid heat exchangers known in the art can be used with thedisclosed cooling system 10. A flow regulator 32 can be connectedbetween the piping 22 and the inlet of the evaporator 30 to regulate theflow of working fluid into the evaporator 30. The flow regulator 32 canbe any type of device for regulating flow in the cooling system 10. Theflow regulator 32 preferably maintains a constant output flowindependent of the inlet pressure over the operating pressure range ofthe system. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the second cycle 14includes a plurality of evaporators 30 and flow regulators 32 connectedto the piping 22. However, the disclosed system can have one or morethan one evaporator 30 and flow regulators 32 connected to the piping22.

The second heat exchanger 40 is a fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger thattransfers heat from the second working fluid to the first cycle 12. Itwill be appreciated that a number of fluid-to-fluid heat exchangersknown in the art can be used with the disclosed cooling system 10. Forexample, the fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger 40 can include a plurality oftubes for one fluid positioned in a chamber or shell containing a secondfluid. A coaxial (“tube-in-tube”) exchanger would also be suitable. Incertain embodiments, it is preferred to use a plate heat exchanger. Thesecond cycle 14 can also include a receiver 50 connected to the outletpiping 46 of the second heat exchanger 40 by a bypass line 52. Thereceiver 50 may store and accumulate the working fluid in the secondcycle 14 to allow for changes in the temperature and heat load.

In one embodiment, the air-to-fluid heat exchanger 30 can be used tocool a room holding computer equipment. For example, a fan 34 can drawair from the room (heat load) through the heat exchanger 30 where thesecond working fluid absorbs heat from the air. In another embodiment,the air-to-fluid heat exchanger 30 can be used to directly remove heatfrom electronic equipment (heat load) that generates the heat bymounting the heat exchanger 30 on or close to the equipment. Forexample, electronic equipment is typically contained in an enclosure(not shown). The heat exchanger 30 can mount to the enclosure, and fans34 can draw air from the enclosure through the heat exchanger 30.Alternatively, the first exchanger 30 may be in direct thermal contactwith the heat source (e.g. a cold plate). It will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that the heat transfer rates, sizes, and otherdesign variables of the components of the disclosed cooling system 10depend on the size of the disclosed cooling system 10, the magnitude ofthe heat load to be managed, and on other details of the particularimplementation.

In the embodiment of the disclosed cooling system 10 depicted in FIG. 1,the first cycle 12 includes a chilled water cycle 60 connected to thefluid-to-fluid heat exchanger 40 of the second cycle 14. In particular,the second heat exchanger 40 has first and second portions or fluidpaths 42 and 44 in thermal communication with one another. The secondpath 42 for the volatile working fluid is connected between the firstheat exchanger 30 and the pump 20. The first fluid path 44 is connectedto the chilled water cycle 60. The chilled water cycle 60 may be similarto those known in the art. The chilled water system 60 includes a firstworking fluid that absorbs heat from the second working fluid passingthrough the fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger 40. The first working fluid isthen chilled by techniques known in the art for a conventional chilledwater cycle. In general, the first working fluid can be either volatileor non-volatile. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the firstworking fluid can be water, glycol, or mixtures thereof. Therefore, theembodiment of the second cycle 14 in FIG. 1 can be constructed as anindependent unit that houses the pump 20, air-to-fluid heat exchanger30, and fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger 40 and can be connected to anexisting chilled water service that is available in the building housingthe equipment to be cooled, for example.

In the embodiment of the disclosed cooling system 10 in FIG. 2, thesecond cycle 14 is substantially the same as that described above.However, the first cycle 12 includes a vapor compression refrigerationsystem 70 connected to the first portion or flow path 44 of heatexchanger 40 of the second cycle 14. Instead of using chilled water toremove the heat from the second cycle 14 as in the embodiment of FIG. 1,the refrigeration system 70 in FIG. 2 is directly connected to or is the“other half” of the fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger 40. The vaporcompression refrigeration system 70 can be substantially similar tothose known in the art. An exemplary vapor compression refrigerationsystem 70 includes a compressor 74, a condenser 76, and an expansiondevice 78. Piping 72 connects these components to one another and to thefirst flow path 44 of the heat exchanger 40.

The vapor compression refrigeration system 70 removes heat from thesecond working fluid passing through the second heat exchanger 40 byabsorbing heat from the exchanger 40 with a first working fluid andexpelling that heat to the environment (not shown). The first workingfluid can be volatile. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, thefirst working fluid can be any conventional chemical refrigerant,including but not limited to chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs),hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), or hydrochloro-fluorocarbons (HCFCs). Theexpansion device 78 can be a valve, orifice or other apparatus known tothose skilled in the art to produce a pressure drop in the working fluidpassing therethrough. The compressor 74 can be any type of compressorknown in the art to be suitable for refrigerant service such asreciprocating compressors, scroll compressors, or the like. In theembodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the cooling system 10 is self-contained.For example, the vapor compression refrigeration system 70 can be partof a single unit that also houses pump 20 and fluid-to-fluid heatexchanger 30.

During operation of the disclosed system, pump 20 moves the workingfluid via piping 22 to the air-to-fluid heat exchanger 30. Pumpingincreases the pressure of the working fluid, while its enthalpy remainssubstantially the same. The pumped working fluid can then enter theair-to-fluid heat exchanger or evaporator 30 of the second cycle 14. Afan 34 can draw air from the heat load through the heat exchanger 30. Asthe warm air from the heat load (not shown) enters the air-to-fluid heatexchanger 30, the volatile working fluid absorbs the heat. As the fluidwarms through the heat exchanger, some of the volatile working fluidwill evaporate. In a fully loaded system 10, the fluid leaving the firstheat exchanger 30 will be a substantially saturated vapor. The vaporflows from the heat exchanger 30 through the piping 36 to thefluid-to-fluid heat exchanger 40. In the piping or return line 36, theworking fluid is substantially in the vapor state, and the pressure ofthe fluid drops while its enthalpy remains substantially constant. Atthe fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger 40, the vapor in the second fluid path42 is condensed by transferring heat to the first, colder fluid of thefirst cycle 12 in the first fluid path 44. The condensed working fluidleaves the heat exchanger 40 via piping 46 and enters the pump 20, wherethe second cycle 14 can be repeated.

The first cooling cycle 12 operates in conjunction with second cycle 14to remove heat from the second cycle 14 by absorbing the heat from thesecond working fluid into the first working fluid and rejecting the heatto the environment (not shown). As noted above, the first cycle 12 caninclude a chilled water system 60 as shown in FIG. 1 or a vaporcompression refrigeration system 70 as shown in FIG. 2. During operationof chilled water system 60 in FIG. 1, for example, a first working fluidcan flow through the first fluid path 44 of heat exchanger 40 and can becooled in a cooling tower (not shown). During operation of refrigerationsystem 70 in FIG. 2, for example, the first working fluid passes throughthe first portion 44 of fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger 40 and absorbsheat from the volatile fluid in the second cycle 14. The working fluidevaporates in the process. The vapor travels to the compressor 74 wherethe working fluid is compressed. The compressor 74 can be areciprocating, scroll or other type of compressor known in the art.After compression, the working fluid travels through a discharge line tothe condenser 76, where heat from the working fluid is dissipated to anexternal heat sink, e.g., the outdoor environment. Upon leavingcondenser 76, refrigerant flows through a liquid line to expansiondevice 78. As the refrigerant passes through the expansion device 78,the first working fluid experiences a pressure drop. Upon leavingexpansion device 78, the working fluid flows through the first fluidpath of fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger 40, which acts as an evaporatorfor the refrigeration cycle 70.

Data center providers are continually seeking increased reliability andup time from climate control systems. Therefore, data center providerscontinually desire improved redundancy in the climate control systems toguard against unnecessary down time of the cooled electronic equipmentdue to unexpected interruption in operation of the climate controlsystems. One mode of redundancy is to replicate each element of acooling system, such as the first cooling cycle 12 and the secondcooling cycle 14. Such complete redundancy can be prohibitivelyexpensive and greatly complicates the design, implementation, andcontrol of the cooling systems. In various configurations, redundancymay include implementation of a cooling loop, including a second,reduced implementation of a second cooling cycle 14 such as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. The reduced redundancy could include a second pump unit20 and half of the heat exchangers provided in the primary coolingsystem. Implementing this redundant system would also require theassociated plumbing and controls. Accordingly, an approximate cost ofsuch a system could be in the range of 50% of the total cost of the basecooling load.

Another approach to redundancy in order to minimize equipment caninclude over-provisioning the environment by deploying cooling modulesin complicated, interweaved schemes. Failure of one cooling loop canthen be covered by other cooling loops interwoven into the zone of thefailed one cooling loop. Such over provisioning again provides increasedcost to the consumer which includes extra pumps, cooling modules,plumbing, piping and control systems over conventional configurationsshown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

A cooling system that cools a load having a primary cooling module thatcirculates refrigerant to the load. If the primary cooling module is tobe deactivated, a redundant cooling module provides a flow ofrefrigerant to the load upon deactivation of the primary cooling module.The primary cooling module can be reactivated in favor of the secondarycooling module. When this occurs, the secondary cooling module isdisabled. The redundant cooling module is arranged to provide fluid flowto any of the loads in the cooling system.

The primary cooling and secondary cooling modules each further include apump for circulating refrigerant, the pump supplying refrigerant to aload at a first temperature. The primary and secondary modules also eachinclude a condenser for receiving refrigerant from the load. Therefrigerant received by the condenser being at a higher temperature thanthe first temperature. The primary and secondary modules also eachinclude a liquid receiver that receives refrigerant in a liquid statefrom the condenser.

A cooling system that cools a load having a cooling module thatcirculates refrigerant to the load. The primary cooling module has apair of circuits including a controller, a pump, and at least one valve.The pair of circuits shares a common condenser and receiver. The pair ofcircuits operates redundantly so that if one circuit is not functioning,the other circuit operates to control fluid flow through the coolingmodule.

A cooling system that includes a primary cooling module, the primarycooling module supplying refrigerant to a load. The cooling system alsoincludes a first liquid receiver associated with the primary coolingmodule and receiving refrigerant in a liquid state. A secondary coolingmodule provides a supplemental flow of refrigerant through the load upondetection of a deficiency of the primary cooling.

A cooling system including a plurality of primary cooling modules. Theprimary cooling modules supplying refrigerant through a respective oneof a plurality of thermal loads. A plurality of liquid receiversassociated with the respective primary cooling modules receiverefrigerant in a liquid state. A secondary cooling module selectivelyprovides a supplemental flow of refrigerant through the load associatedwith a primary cooling module for which a failure has been detected.Each primary cooling module further includes a plurality of first pumpsfor supplying refrigerant. The plurality of first pumps supplyrefrigerant at a first temperature to the respective loads associatedwith the respective primary cooling module. A plurality of secondcondensers receive refrigerant from the respective loads associated withthe respective primary cooling modules. The refrigerant received by therespective condensers being at a higher temperature than the firsttemperature.

A method for providing redundant cooling in a cooling system includesproviding a primary cooling module having a circuit, the primary coolingmodule providing cooling fluid to a thermal load. The method furtherincludes providing a secondary cooling module and initiating operationof the secondary cooling module. The method further includes insertingthe secondary cooling module into the circuit, the secondary coolingmodule providing cooling fluid to the thermal load. Controlling primaryreceiver valve between a primary receiver associated with the primarycooling module and a secondary receiver associated with the secondarycooling module to equalize pressure between the primary receiver and thesecondary receiver prior to inserting the secondary cooling module intothe circuit. The method further includes deactivating the primarycooling module.

A method for providing redundant control of a cooling system includesproviding a plurality of primary cooling modules, the primary coolingmodules supply refrigerant through a respective thermal load. The methodfurther includes providing a plurality of liquid receivers correspondingto a respective primary cooling module, each liquid receiver receivingrefrigerant in a liquid state from a respective condenser associatedwith a respective primary cooling module. A secondary cooling moduleselectively provides a supplemental flow of refrigerant through the loadassociated with a selected primary cooling module.

An apparatus that includes a cooling module, the cooling modulesupplying refrigerant through a load. A first controller is associatedwith a first portion of a circuit associated with the cooling module. Asecond controller is associated with a second portion of a circuitassociated with the cooling module. In a first mode, the firstcontroller controls the first portion of the circuit, and the secondcontroller controls the second portion of the circuit. In a second mode,one of the first controller or the second controller controls both thefirst and second portions or an other of the first portion of thecircuit or the second portion of the circuit.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a primary cooling loop connected to achilled water cycle;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a cooling system having a primary coolingloop utilizing a vapor compression refrigeration system;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a cooling system arranged according to afirst configuration;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the cooling system of FIG. 3 in which theredundant pumping unit is primed for operation;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the cooling system of FIG. 3 showing theredundant pumping unit and load following deactivation of a main pumpingunit;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the cooling system of FIG. 3 in which thedeactivated, main pumping unit is primed for reactivation;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the previously disabled main pumping unitreturned to operation;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram depicting FIG. 3 in which a process foractivating a redundant pumping unit and deactivating a main pumpingunit; and

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram depicting a process for activating a mainpumping unit and deactivating a redundant pumping unit.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a pumping unit having redundant controlsfor chilled water flow control;

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram depicting a process for implementing redundantchilled water flow control;

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram depicting a second process for implementingredundant chilled water flow control.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled inthe art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples ofspecific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not beemployed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many differentforms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes,well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are notdescribed in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and“having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described hereinare not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance inthe particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specificallyidentified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood thatadditional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,”“connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element orlayer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engagedto,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another elementor layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Otherwords used to describe the relationship between elements should beinterpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directlybetween,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein todescribe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should notbe limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguishone element, component, region, layer or section from another region,layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numericalterms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearlyindicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region,layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachingsof the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,”“lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatiallyrelative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turnedover, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

FIG. 3 depicts a schematic view of a pumped refrigerant cooling system100 having a redundant pumping unit. The pumped refrigerant coolingsystem 100 includes a plurality of cooling subsystems 110 a, 110 b, . .. , 110 n, each having respective primary pumping units, or primarycooling modules, 120 a, 120 b, . . . , 120 n. Each primary pumping unit120 a, 120 b, . . . , 120 n provides a working fluid pumped to a heatexchanger or cooling unit 122 a, 122 b, . . . , 122 n. Each cooling unit122 a, 122 b, . . . , 122 n is placed in an environment to be cooled,such as a data room. It should be noted that n can be any positiveinteger and represents a selected number of similarly arranged elementsin the figures. For example, pumping units 120 a, 120 b, . . . , 120 nrefer to N pumping units. One skilled in the art would recognize thatthe number of pumping units can be varied depending on the particularimplementation of the pumped refrigerant cooling system 100 describedherein. This numbering convention will be used to describe other similarunits. In some instances, the n (or other number of) units may bedescribed collectively using the reference numeral without the a, b, . .. , n. Further, like reference numerals will be used to describe similarelements throughout the specification.

Each main pumping unit 120 includes a first pump 124 and a second pump126 which pump the working fluid at an elevated pressure to respectivecheck valves 132, 134. Pumps 124, 126 can be arranged in a first,redundant configuration. Alternatively, pumps 124, 126 can be arrangedto cooperatively apply fluid at an output pressure and fluid flowthrough respective check valves 132, 134 to output line 136. Pumps 124,126 can be controlled to provide both redundant and cooperativeoperation. In various embodiments, a main pumping unit can be configuredto omit one of pumps 124, 126.

Fluid pumped through output line 136 is applied to cooling unit 122.Cooling unit 122 may assume a number of configurations, including aconfiguration similar to evaporator 30 of FIGS. 1 and 2. Cooling unit122 is placed in an environment where it is desirable to remove heatfrom the environment in which cooling unit 122 is situated bytransferring the heat to fluid pumped through output line 136. Fluidfrom output line 136 enters cooling unit 122 at a first temperature andexits cooling unit 122 on line 140 at an elevated temperature. Fluidpumped through cooling unit 122 may also change phase from a liquidphase to a gaseous phase. Line 140, generally referred to as inlet line140, returns the working fluid to main pumping unit 120.

Fluid in inlet line 140 is input to condenser 138. Condenser 138receives the working fluid in a first state having a first density (suchas a gas) and rejects the heat in the working fluid to output fluid in asecond state at a higher density (such as a liquid). The fluid passingthrough condenser 138 changes phase from a gaseous to a liquid phase.Condenser 138 receives a supply of chilled water from chilled waterinlet line 139 (shown at pumping unit 120 in FIG. 3). Chilled water iscirculated through condenser 138 to remove heat from the working fluidreceived from inlet line 140. Chilled water is returned from condenser138 to the chilled water supply via chilled water outlet line 141 (shownin pumping unit 120 in FIG. 3). The output of condenser 138 is outputthrough return line 144 which is input to receiver 142. Receiver 142restores working fluid for use by pumping unit 120. Receiver 142 returnsworking fluid to respective pumps 124, 126 via receiver output line 143.A bypass line 146 bypasses receiver enabling fluid to pass from theoutlet of condenser 138 directly to receiver output line 143, bypassingreceiver 142. Receiver output line 143 provides working fluid to pumps124, 126 via respective pump input lines 148, 150.

In addition to main pumping units 120 a, 120 b, . . . , 120 n, aredundant pumping unit, or secondary cooling module, 120′ is included inthe pumped refrigerant cooling system 100 of FIG. 1. Redundant pumpingunit 120′ provides working fluid at a pressure in the event that any ofmain pumping units 120 a, 120 b, . . . , 120 n should become inactive.In this manner, pumping unit 120′ provides redundancy to the otherpumping units, thereby maintaining up-time and providing a coolingfunction for any of the cooling units 122 associated with thedeactivated main pumping unit.

Redundant pumping unit 120′ is configured similarly to theabove-described pumping unit 120. Pumping unit 120′ also includes aliquid line 136′ output to each of cooling units 122 a, 122 b, . . . ,122 n. Liquid line 136′ connects to each of liquid lines 136 a, 136 b, .. . , 136 n through respective gate valves 154 a, 154 b, . . . , 154 n.Redundant pumping unit 120′ also receives working fluid via vapor line140′. Vapor line 140′ connects to each of vapor lines 140 a, 140 b, . .. , 140 n through respective mixing valves 156 a, 156 b, . . . , 156 n.Redundant pumping unit 120′ also includes a redundant receiver link 158′which links to receivers 142 a, 142 b, . . . , 142 n through each ofrespective valves 160 a, 160 b, . . . , 160 n. A controller 162 sendsand receives monitoring and control signals to selected components ofpumped refrigerant cooling system 100 in order to affect control of pumprefrigerant cooling system 100.

Operation of the system will be described with respect to FIGS. 4-7.When a unit has become or must be deactivated because variousoperational conditions of a main pump unit 120, redundant unit 120′ isactivated to replace the deactivated main pumping unit. For example, ifmain pumping unit 120 a requires deactivation, redundant pumping unit120′ would be activated to provide the pumping function for deactivatedmain pumping unit 120 a. When this occurs, valve 160 a is opened toconnect receiver 142 a with receiver 142′, as shown in FIG. 4, to enablepressure equalization between receivers 142 a and 142′. Equalizationoccurs through receiver link 158′ as indicated by the thickened lines inFIG. 4. After a predetermined time period, pressure is equalized betweenreceiver 142 a of main pumping unit 120 a and receiver 142′ of redundantpumping unit 120′.

Once pressure is equalized, redundant pumping unit 120′ powers up tosupply the pumping function for cooling unit 122 a associated with themain pumping unit 120 a. As shown in FIG. 5, in order for redundantpumping unit 120 a to provide a pumping function for cooling unit 122 a,valve 156 a is switched so that the working fluid, typically in the formof a vapor, output from cooling unit 122 a is directed to condenser 138′of redundant pumping unit 120′ via vapor line 140′. Also during theswitch over to redundant pumping unit 120′, valve 154 a is opened sothat the liquid line 136′ provides working fluid, typically in a liquidstate, to cooling unit 122 a. The switching of valves 156 a and 154 aenables redundant pumping unit 120′ to provide a pumping function forthe main pumping unit 120 a. The redirected fluid flow indicative ofredundant pumping unit 120′ providing a pumping function for deactivatedmain pumping unit 120 a. This is shown by the thickened lines in FIG. 5.Main pumping unit 120 a can then be deactivated. Receiver valve 160 a isthen closed.

Once it is determined to reactivate main pumping unit 120 a, therebyrequiring deactivation of redundant pumping unit 120′, a similar processto that described above occurs.

To initiate the process of returning deactivated main pumping unit 120 ato an operational condition, receiver valve 160 a is opened to allowpressure to equalize between receiver 142 a of pumping unit 120 a andreceiver 142′ of redundant pumping unit 120′. This is indicated in FIG.6 in which fluid flow in receiver link 158′ to equalize pressure isshown in thickened lines. In various embodiments, receiver valves 160can be arranged in a normally open configuration and selectively closedto isolate a specific, associated receiver 142. Once the pressure hasequalized, main pumping unit 120 a is then powered up so that workingfluid is pumped through the fluid circuit of pumping unit 120 a. Inorder to cause this transition, valve 156 a is adjusted to close off theconnection between the output of cooling unit 122 a and redundant vaporline 140 a′. This directs fluid from the outlet of cooling unit 122 a tothe inlet of pumping unit 120 a and condenser 138 a. Also, valve 154 ais closed so that the outlet of pumping unit 120 a provides workingfluid to the input of cooling unit 122 a through liquid line 136 a. Theclosing of valve 154 a also cuts off the flow of working fluid onredundant vapor line 136′. Receiver valve 160 a of pumping unit 120 a isalso closed to cut off the fluid connection between receiver 142 a ofpumping unit 120 a and receiver 142′ of redundant pumping unit 120′.Thus, pumping unit 120 a is returned to operation as shown by thethickened lines of FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 provides a flow chart of a non-limiting example of a process forswitching from a primary pumping unit to a redundant pumping unit.Control starts at block 170 and proceeds to block 172. Block 172equalizes the receiver pressure between the primary pumping unit to bedeactivated and the redundant pumping unit to be activated. Control thenproceeds to block 174 which powers up the redundant pumping unit. Oncethe redundant pumping unit is powered up, control proceeds to block 176where control valves are arranged to divert fluid flow to the redundantpumping unit away from the primary pumping unit. Control then proceedsto block 178 where the primary pumping unit is deactivated. In someembodiments, following deactivation of the primary pumping unit, controlproceeds to block 180 where the primary receiver valve is closed. Theprocess ends at block 182.

FIG. 9 depicts a block diagram of a non-limiting example for returningthe primary pump to an activated state communicating with the coolingunit and deactivating the redundant pumping unit. Control begins atstart block 190 and proceeds to block 192 which equalizes the receiversfor the respective redundant pumping unit to be deactivated and theprimary pumping unit to be activated. Control then proceeds to block 194where the primary pumping unit is powered up in anticipation of thechangeover. Following powerup of the primary pumping unit, controlproceeds to block 196 which changes the valves to divert the fluid flowto the primary pumping unit and away from the redundant pumping unit.Control then proceeds to block 198 where the redundant pumping unit isthen deactivated. In some embodiments, following deactivation of theredundant pumping unit, control proceeds to block 200 where the primaryreceiver valve is closed. Control then proceeds to end block 202.

FIG. 10 depicts a cooling system 210 arranged in accordance with variousembodiments. Cooling system 210 includes a pumping unit 220 forproviding fluid pumped to a cooling unit (not shown in FIG. 10). Pumpingunit 220 operates similarly to pumping units 120 described above.Pumping unit 220 in various embodiments includes built in redundancy andcan be a pair of dual or parallel pumping units, valves, and controllerssharing a common condenser and receiver.

Pumping unit 220 provides pumped fluid through output line 136 to acooling unit or load 122. The cooling unit is placed in an environmentwhere it is desirable to remove heat from the environment in which thecooling unit is situated by transferring the heat to the fluid pumpedthrough output line 136. As described above, fluid from output line 136enters the cooling unit at a first temperature and exits the coolingunit via line 140 at an elevated temperature. Fluid pumped through thecooling unit may also change phase from a liquid phase to a gaseousphase.

Also shown in FIG. 10 are chilled water inlet line 139 and chilled wateroutlet line 141. Chilled water is input to condenser 138 via input line139. Chilled water is supplied from a chilled water source (not shown inFIG. 10), such as building chilled water. Chilled water passes throughcondenser 138 to effect a heat transfer from fluid circulated throughcondenser 138 via outlet line 136 and inlet line 140. Chilled waterexits condenser 138 via chilled water outlet line 141.

Chilled water outlet line 141 connects to redundant sensing and controlcircuit 224 having first circuit branch 226 and second, redundantcircuit branch 226′. It should be noted that circuit branches 226, 226′are arranged in a generally symmetric configuration and that eithercircuit branch can be designated as a primary or redundant circuitbranch or may be referred to as operating and dormant circuit branchesrespectively. Each circuit branch 226, 226′ includes a pair of valves232, 232′ connected to chilled water outlet line 141. The output ofvalves 232, 232′ is combined and input to a flow meter 236. In variousembodiments, valves 232, 232′ may be implemented as normally closedspring return valves.

In various embodiments, control circuit 224 also includes a pair ofcontrollers 238, 238′ that provide redundancy to the left and rightsides of pumping unit 220. Controller 238 communicates with valve 232via control line 242. Similarly, controller 238′ communicates with valve232′ via control line 242′. Controller 238 communicates with pump 124via control line 240. Similarly, controller 238′ communicates with pump126 via control line 240′. In various embodiments, controller 238 alsoincludes a signal line for monitoring variable flow valve 232′ viasignal line 246, and controller 238′ monitors the condition of variableflow valve 232 via signal line 246′. Controllers 238, 238′ communicatevia a connection 230, which may be either a signal or data line.

In operation, pumping unit 220 functions as a redundant operatingcircuit sharing a common condenser 138 and receiver 142. Controller 238,valve 232 and pump 124, and associated electrical and fluid linescomprise a first redundant portion of the circuit, and controller 238′,valve 232′, and pump 126 and associated electrical and fluid linescomprise a second redundant portion of the circuit. In variousembodiments, selection of control between the redundant portions of thecircuit occurs by controllers 238, 238′ communicating over connection230. Connection 230 may be a signal line in various embodiments or maybe a data line in other embodiments. In various embodiments, controllers238, 238′ arbitrate control by generating a signal on connection 230which maintains the other controller in a dormant state. For example, ifcontroller 238 generates a signal on connection 230, controller 238′will be held in a dormant state so long as controller 238 generates thesignal. If controller 238 ceases to generate a signal on connection 230,controller 238′ will start up and correspondingly generate a signal onconnection 230 which will hold controller 238 in a dormant state. Invarious other embodiments, controllers 238, 238′ can communicate viaconnection 230 by exchanging data to arbitrate control of pumping unit220.

In various embodiments, controller 238 can control and monitorrespective portions of its redundant circuit, including valve 232,pumping unit 124, and associated connection and control lines.Controller 238′ can similarly monitor components for its respectiveportion of the redundant circuit. If controller 238 detects a fault inany of its respective circuit components, including a fault within thecontroller itself, controller 238 can shut down, thereby passing controlto controller 238′. Controller 238′ operates similarly and activatescontroller 238 when controller 238′ detects a fault in its respectiveredundant circuit portion.

In various embodiments, controllers 238, 238′ control respective valves232, 232′, pumps 124, 126 and monitor flow meter 236. In variousembodiments, controller 238 monitors the flow in the opposing circuitbranch 238′ to determine whether an interruption in flow has occurred.Likewise, in various embodiments controller 238′ monitors fluid flow inthe opposing circuit branch 238 to determine whether an interruption inflow has occurred. If an interruption occurs, the opposing controlcircuit becomes active. By way of nonlimiting example, controller 238controls valve 232. Controller 238 also monitors operation of flow valve232′ via signal line 246. Controller 238 operates to control the flowthrough flow valve 232. Controller 238′ operates similarly with respectto valve 230′, and valve 232. Similarly controller 238′ controls valve232′. Controller 238′ also monitors operation of flow valve 232 viasignal line 246′. Controller 238′ operates to control the flow throughflow valve 232′.

In various embodiments, controllers 238, 238′ can control fluid flowthrough respective circuit branches 226, 226′ and operate eitherindividually or cooperatively to control the fluid flow in outlet line141. In various embodiments, one of controllers 238, 238′ can controlfluid flow through its respective circuit branch 226, 226′. If a failureshould occur in any of the circuit branch elements associated with aparticular controller, fluid flow control can be assumed and controlledby the other controller using the other circuit branch. In such variousembodiments, fluid flows through only one of the circuit branches 226,226′.

In various other embodiments, fluid flow can occur through each ofrespective circuit branches 226, 226′ so that the combined flow providesa desired fluid flow through chilled water outlet line 141. In suchvarious embodiments, fluid flow can be split so approximately half ofthe fluid flow occurs through one circuit branch 226 and the other halfof the fluid flow occurs through circuit branch 226′, thereby combiningfor a desired total fluid flow through chilled water outlet line 141. Ifeither circuit branch 226, 226′ experiences failure, that circuit branchcan be disabled by its respective controller, and fluid flow through theother circuit branch can be increased to maintain a desired fluid flowthrough chilled water outlet line 141.

FIG. 11 depicts a flow diagram 250 demonstrating operation of aredundant circuit branch implementation of FIG. 10. Control begins atstart block 252 and proceeds to decision block 254. At decision block254, a test is performed to determine if an error exists in the primarycircuit branch. The primary circuit branch can be determined arbitrarilyas one of the circuit branches 226, 226′, leaving the remaining circuitbranch as the redundant, secondary, or other circuit branch. It will beassumed that circuit branch 226 is the primary circuit branch. If noerror has occurred in primary circuit branch 226, control proceeds backto decision block 254 where the test is repeated. If an error hasoccurred in primary circuit branch 226, control proceeds to block 256where a switch occurs to secondary circuit branch 226′. In variousembodiments, the switch can be effected by controller 238 shutting down,causing controller 238′ to begin operation. In various otherembodiments, control can end and return to 254. In various embodiments,control then proceeds to block 258 where a test is performed todetermine if the circuit branch error has cleared. If not, controlreturns to block 258 where the test is repeated. If the error hascleared, control proceeds to block 260. At block 260, a return to theprimary circuit branch is effected by opening the respective shut offvalve 230 and variable flow valve 232 and closing secondary valve 230′and closing or reducing fluid flow through secondary flow valve 232′.Control then proceeds to block 262 where the process is completed.

FIG. 12 depicts a block diagram 270 directed a redundant scenario whenboth circuit branches 226, 226′ of FIG. 10 each provide a portion of thefluid flow through chilled water outlet line 141. Control begins atstart block 272 and proceeds to block 274 which operates both circuitsbranches to (equally or unequally) share the flow through chilled wateroutlet line 141. Control then proceeds to decision block 276 whichperforms a test to determine if a load change error exists in one of thetwo circuit branches 226, 226′. If no load change or error has beendetected, control proceeds back to decision block 276 which repeats thetest. If a load change or error is detected, control proceeds to block278 where the flow is adjusted in the redundant or faulty circuit branchby controlling the associated pumps and valves. Control proceeds toblock 280 where fluid flow in the primary circuit is adjusted tomaintain the flow through chilled water outlet line 141 at a desiredrate. Control proceeds to block 282 where a test is performed todetermine if the error in the faulty circuit branch has been resolved.If the load change or error has not been resolved, control proceeds backto test block 282 where the test is repeated. If the load change errorhas been resolved, control proceeds to block 284 where fluid flowthrough the primary circuit branch is adjusted. Control proceeds toblock 286 where the flow through the redundant circuit branch isadjusted so that both circuit branches 226, 226′ share the fluid flowthrough outlet line 141. Control next proceeds to block 288 where theprocess is completed.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elements or features ofa particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the invention, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cooling system comprising: a plurality ofprimary cooling modules and a secondary cooling module, each of theprimary cooling modules including: a first pump, the first pumpconfigured for circulating refrigerant; a first condenser; and a firstliquid receiver, wherein the cooling system further comprises aplurality of evaporators, and wherein each of the evaporators is fluidlyconnected to a respective one of the plurality of primary coolingmodules; the first pump of each cooling module is configured to supplythe refrigerant to a respective evaporator of the plurality ofevaporators at a first respective temperature, and each one of the firstcondensers is configured to receive the refrigerant from the respectiveevaporator, the refrigerant received by each of the first condensersbeing at a higher temperature than the first respective temperature,each of the primary cooling modules is configured to supply therefrigerant through the respective evaporator; wherein each first liquidreceiver is configured to receive the refrigerant in a liquid state, andthe secondary cooling module including a second pump for circulating therefrigerant, a second condenser, and a second liquid receiver, whereinthe second condenser is configured to selectively receive refrigerantfrom any of the evaporators, and the second liquid receiver isconfigured to receive the refrigerant in a liquid state from the secondcondenser, wherein the secondary cooling module is configured toselectively provide a supplemental flow of the refrigerant through theevaporator of a primary cooling module of the plurality of primarycooling modules for which a failure has been detected.
 2. The coolingsystem of claim 1 wherein each primary cooling module further comprisesan additional pump for supplying the refrigerant, the additional pumpand the first pump of each primary cooling module being configured forsupplying the refrigerant at the first temperature to the respectiveevaporators connected to the respective primary cooling module.
 3. Thecooling system of claim 1 further comprising a receiver valve arrangedin a receiver link between the first liquid receiver comprised in theprimary cooling module for which the failure has been detected and thesecond liquid receiver to control fluid flow between the first liquidreceiver of the primary cooling module for which the failure has beendetected and the second liquid receiver.
 4. The cooling system of claim1 further comprising: a plurality of inlet valves, each inlet valvebeing in fluid communication with a respective evaporator of theplurality of evaporators, wherein each of the inlet valves is configuredfor controlling fluid flow at an inlet of the respective evaporator; anda plurality of outlet valves, each outlet valve being in fluidcommunication with a respective evaporator of the plurality ofevaporators, wherein each of the outlet valves is configured forcontrolling fluid flow at an outlet of the respective evaporator.
 5. Thecooling system of claim 1 further comprising a first controllerconfigured to activate the secondary cooling module upon detection of adeficiency of the primary cooling module of the plurality of primarycooling modules for which the failure has been detected, wherein thesecondary cooling module replaces the primary cooling module for whichthe failure has been detected by providing flow of the refrigerant fromthe secondary cooling module through the evaporator of the primarycooling modules for which the failure has been detected.
 6. The coolingsystem of claim 5 wherein the first controller is further configuredsuch that upon activation of the secondary cooling module, the firstcontroller enables fluid flow through a receiver link, the receiver linkfluidly connecting the first liquid receiver of the primary coolingmodules for which the failure has been detected and the second liquidreceiver to equalize pressure between the first liquid receiver of theprimary cooling modules for which the failure has been detected and thesecond liquid receiver.
 7. A method for providing redundant control of acooling system comprising: providing a plurality of primary coolingmodules, each cooling module including a first pump circulatingrefrigerant and a first condenser, providing a plurality of evaporators,wherein the first pump supplies the refrigerant to a respectiveevaporator of the plurality of evaporators at a first respectivetemperature, and each first condenser receives the refrigerant from therespective evaporator, the refrigerant received by each first condenserbeing at a higher temperature than the first respective temperature, andwherein each of the primary cooling modules supplies refrigerant to therespective evaporator of the plurality of evaporators; providing aliquid receiver in each primary cooling module, each liquid receiverreceiving the refrigerant in a liquid state form a respective firstcondenser of the respective primary cooling module; and providing asecondary cooling module, the secondary cooling module selectivelyproviding a supplemental flow of the refrigerant through a selected oneof the plurality of evaporators.
 8. The method of claim 7 furthercomprising receiving refrigerant in a liquid state from a secondcondenser of the secondary cooling module.
 9. The method of claim 8further comprising selectively communicating the first liquid receiverof a primary cooling module of the plurality of primary cooling modulesfor which a failure has been detected and the second liquid receiver ofthe secondary cooling module to equalize pressure between the firstliquid receiver of primary cooling modules for which a failure has beendetected and the second liquid receiver.
 10. A cooling systemcomprising: a plurality of primary cooling modules and a secondarycooling module, each of the primary cooling modules including: a firstpump, the first pump configured for circulating a refrigerant; a firstcondenser; and a first liquid receiver, wherein the cooling systemfurther comprises a plurality of evaporators, and wherein each of theevaporators is fluidly connected to a respective one of the plurality ofprimary cooling modules; the first pump of each cooling module isconfigured to supply the refrigerant to a respective evaporator of theplurality of evaporators at a first respective temperature, and each oneof the first condensers is configured to receive the refrigerant fromthe respective evaporator, the refrigerant received by each of the firstcondensers being at a higher temperature than the first respectivetemperature, each of the primary cooling modules is configured to supplythe refrigerant through the respective evaporator, wherein each firstliquid receiver is configured to receive the refrigerant in a liquidstate, and wherein the secondary cooling module is configured toselectively provide a supplemental flow of the refrigerant through theevaporator of a primary cooling module of the plurality of primarycooling modules for which a failure has been detected.
 11. The coolingsystem of claim 10 wherein each primary cooling module further comprisesan additional pump for supplying the refrigerant, the additional pumpand the first pump of each primary cooling module being configured forsupplying the refrigerant at the first temperature to the respectiveevaporators connected to the respective primary cooling module.
 12. Thecooling system of claim 10 wherein the secondary cooling module furthercomprises: a second pump for supplying the refrigerant, the second pumpsupplying the refrigerant at the first respective temperature to theevaporator corresponding to the primary cooling module for which thefailure has been detected; and a second condenser for receiving therefrigerant from the evaporator corresponding to the primary coolingmodule for which the failure has been detected, the refrigerant receivedby the second condenser being at a temperature higher than the firsttemperature.
 13. The cooling system of claim 12 wherein the secondarycooling module further comprises a second fluid receiver, the secondliquid receiver being configured to receive the refrigerant in a liquidstate from the second condenser.
 14. The cooling system of claim 12further comprising a receiver valve arranged in a receiver link betweenthe first liquid receiver of the primary cooling module for which thefailure has been detected and a second liquid receiver in the secondarycooling module to control fluid flow between the first liquid receiverof the primary cooling module for which the failure has been detectedand the second liquid receiver.
 15. The cooling system of claim 12further comprising: a plurality of inlet valves, each inlet valve beingin fluid communication with a respective evaporator of the plurality ofevaporators, wherein each of the inlet valves is configured forcontrolling fluid flow at an inlet of the respective evaporator; and aplurality of outlet valves, each outlet valve being in fluidcommunication with a respective evaporator of the plurality ofevaporators, wherein each of the outlet valves is configured forcontrolling fluid flow at an outlet of the respective evaporator. 16.The cooling system of claim 10 further comprising: a first controllerconfigured to activate the secondary cooling module upon detecting thefailure of a primary cooling module of the plurality of primary coolingmodules, wherein the secondary cooling module replaces the primarycooling module for which the failure has been detected by providing flowof the refrigerant from the secondary cooling module through theevaporator of the primary cooling module for which the failure has beendetected, while the primary cooling module for which the failure hasbeen detected is deactivated, wherein the first controller is furtherconfigured such that upon activation of the secondary cooling module,the first controller enables fluid flow through a receiver link, thereceiver link fluidly connecting a first liquid receiver of the primarycooling module for which the failure has been detected to a secondliquid receiver of the secondary cooling module to equalize pressurebetween the first liquid receiver of the primary cooling module forwhich the failure has been detected and the second liquid receiver.